Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 291

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 291**

**Chapter 291**

Julian’s fingers, long and slender, danced delicately over the tablet screen, the soft tapping echoing in the quiet of the room as he scrolled down slowly, his brow furrowed in concentration.

His eyes flicked across the words on the screen, a thread of anxiety weaving through his thoughts. *[I think it’s normal. When my wife and I first started dating, I couldn’t even last through kissing before finishing. Now that we’re married, I can last at least half an hour.]*

He let out a soft snort of disbelief at the comparison. *[Normal? My first time with a stranger from a bar lasted more than 20 minutes, okay?]*

Julian shook his head, a faint smile creeping onto his lips despite the tension in his chest. *[Idiot. Hookups and real love aren’t the same. The more you like a girl, the easier it is to get overstimulated. Especially for those late-blooming 30-year-old virgins.]*

The words struck a chord, and he couldn’t help but feel a pang of embarrassment. *[Hilarious. Don’t make excuses for premature ejaculation. If it happens again the second time, what excuse will you use then?]*

The banter continued, but Julian felt a knot of frustration tighten in his stomach. *[If you’re not confident, wait. Take some time to adjust. Try again when you’re ready.]*

He paused, his brow twitching slightly. Earlier this year, he had undergone a comprehensive medical examination, and everything had come back perfectly normal. Yet, here he was, caught in a whirlwind of self-doubt and insecurity.

With a sigh, he turned back to the search bar, fingers hesitating before he typed in another question: *[If premature ejaculation occurs, what can be done to improve it?]*

Meanwhile, at Delta Mansion, the atmosphere was relaxed, with Elliot, Peter, and a few others lounging casually on the first floor, their laughter filling the air.

As Raymond stepped inside, he paused mid-stride, curiosity piqued. “Jules in the study?” he inquired, his voice laced with intrigue.

Peter was quick to respond, pointing upstairs with a grin. “In the gym, working out. Two hours now. Hasn’t stopped once.”

Raymond raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flickering across his face. “So he’s going for the macho route now?”

…

Outside, Sydney stepped out of her car at the clinic entrance, a sense of determination propelling her forward. After reminding Tiffany to take care, she turned and strode inside with purpose. The office door stood ajar, and she assumed it was merely the cleaners at work.

However, the moment she crossed the threshold, a long-haired boy rushed toward her, his voice still tinged with the awkwardness of adolescence. “Syd! Did you miss me?!”

The morning unfolded in a steady stream of patients, each one bringing their own stories and concerns.

Remembering her promise to Billy, Sydney made a conscious effort to keep her schedule manageable. She took only those who had traveled from out of town, rescheduling local appointments for the following day.

By noon, Marcus and Billy were already waiting by her office door, their anticipation palpable. Since Billy hadn’t been back to Hoseon in quite some time, they decided on Moonshine Pavilion, renowned for its authentic local cuisine.

As they approached the restaurant entrance, another group emerged from the opposite side, catching Sydney’s eye.

At the forefront was Julian, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, engaged in quiet conversation with a middle-aged man beside him. His presence exuded an unmistakable air of authority, a stark contrast to the casual atmosphere of the restaurant.

Behind him, Charlotte balanced a stack of documents, her expression focused.

On his other side, a cheerful young woman, barely past her twenties, clung close to him, her bright smile a stark reminder of the world outside Sydney’s immediate concerns.

Sydney’s gaze flickered, a mix of emotions surging through her. She was about to follow Marcus and Billy inside when a deep, steady voice called out from behind her, breaking her thoughts. “Precious, come here for a moment.”